Celebrity chef, Rustie Lee, will be cooking some of her
favourite Caribbean dishes at the award-winning Chilli Fiesta.
Festival-goers can watch demonstrations, sample some delicious
delights, pick up expert tips and shop for produce so they can
try-out new recipes with a chilli twist at home. Also in the
Cookery Theatre this year will be; Dean Edwards, Resident Chef on
ITV's Lorraine; Paul Wayne Gregory, Master Chocolatier; and Malcolm
Riley, The African Chef. On Saturday Rosemary Moon, who brings
together seasonal local produce and whisky in her recipes, will be
joined by a surprise celebrity guest.

Now in its 21st year, the chilli festival (5, 6 & 7 August)
is the original and one of the biggest in the UK attracting around
25,000 people who come to enjoy the full three-day programme of
food, live music and entertainment. It is a family friendly
festival offering weekend camping in the spectacular grounds of the
West Dean Estate in the heart of the South Downs National Park.

Food-lovers can enjoy browsing the popular marketplace with over
140 stalls - many new this year - offering a wide-ranging selection
of hot and spicy foods, individual gifts, a variety of chilli
plants, seeds and produce. Sarah Wain, West Dean Gardens Supervisor
and chilli expert, will be giving informal talks and tours around
the well-stocked kitchen garden, including 250 varieties of
chillies in the Victorian glasshouses. This year, Australian-born
Sarah has a brand new white chilli variety named Streuth! in her
honour. The new chilli has 'a fine combination of heat, at around
110,000 Scovilles, and a unique flavour' say kitchen garden seeds
specialist, Simpsons Seeds. Sarah is growing 300 plants which will
be available exclusively to buy at Chilli Fiesta in support of the
Save the Glasshouses Appeal.

NEW this year is the Grow Your Own Demon Red Chilli Plant
competition, launched earlier in the year in association with
Thompson Seeds. Sarah and Kris Collins, Thompson and Morgan's
gardening expert, will be judging entrants' plants on Sunday 7
August.

There will be a selection of bars - including a new Champagne
Bar and a Cider Bar - around the site and lots of delicious
chilli-related foods to enjoy and set your taste buds alight.

The weekend's LIVE entertainment programme includes; Viva
Santana, Panama, Jason Lee, Adriana Son G, Cuarto Elemento, Alex
Latin, Salsa All Stars, and Mariachi Mezcal, Groupo Lokito, Rocio
and more. Strictly Come Dancing professional dancers, Joanne
Clifton and Giovanni Pernice will be giving a salsa masterclass
(Sunday). There will be a spectacular firework display after the
music on Saturday night.

Camping for the weekend

The campsite on the West Dean Estate is divided into different
zones: Jalapeno (most popular general camping area, close to the
event arena and enhancing the festival atmosphere); Pimento (quiet
camping area away from the main arena ideal for a good night's
sleep); and Bell (family friendly and close to the toilets and
showers).

The 3-night Weekend Glamping experience offers a full size bed,
real mattress, sumptuous cotton bed linen, 13 tog duvet and
handmade patchwork quilt blankets, together with tea and coffee
making facilities and traditional deckchairs to soak up the summer
sun.

Early Bird Prices saving 20% on the full price (available until
25 July)

Demand for tickets to Chilli Fiesta will be high, so early
booking is advised.

Note: Produce stalls close at 6pm. Only food stalls and bars
around the central stage area will be open after 6pm. Main Stage
Music finishes at 8.30pm on Friday, 10pm on Saturday evening and
5.30pm on Sunday. Los Amigos Bar is open until 11pm on Friday and
Saturday and 9pm Sunday.